Startup Originals Team
A Los Angeles-based startup CEO is drawing global attention after revealing he spends roughly $3,000 (about ₹2.7 lakh) every week on lunch for his team, a practice he calls one of the “best investments” in his company’s growth and culture.
Weekly Team Lunches: A Culture-First Investment
John Hu, the founder and CEO of Stan, a creator-focused startup, shared on social media that he funds weekly lunches for his team of around 30 employees, spending nearly $3,000 each time. Hu explained that these meals are not just perks, but strategic opportunities for relaxed conversations, stronger connections, and deeper trust among team members, elements he believes boost collaboration and productivity.
In his posts, Hu wrote that culture goes beyond conventional benefits like ping-pong tables or unlimited paid time off; instead, it’s built when employees sit together, “talk about life, laugh, and connect”, interactions he argues are foundational to a cohesive, high-performing team.
From Investment Banking to Creator Platform Founder
Before founding Stan, Hu worked as an investment banking analyst at Goldman Sachs and later pursued higher education, including at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, according to reports. He eventually left traditional career paths to start Stan in 2021, driven by his interest in supporting creators and entrepreneurs.
Stan is built as a platform for creators, enabling them to monetize their online followings directly by selling digital products, booking services, or hosting courses, all through a simplified “link-in-bio” storefront.
Company Growth and Industry Support
Since its launch, Stan has attracted industry attention and growth. The company has reported annual recurring revenues in the tens of millions and attracted investment from notable figures in the creator economy, including entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk, who has partnered with Stan to help scale creator monetization efforts.
Supporters say this culture-first approach and focus on simplicity has helped Stan compete in a crowded tech landscape, enabling creators to turn their audiences into sustainable revenue streams without complex technical requirements.
Reactions and Broader Workplace Discussion
The CEO’s disclosure sparked discussion on workplace culture and leadership strategies online. Many commenters praised the focus on people and genuine interaction, noting that shared meals can foster a sense of belonging and open dialogue that formal meetings might not achieve. Others shared personal experiences of how similar practices improved team dynamics in their own workplaces.
While not all companies can replicate a weekly lunch budget of this scale, industry observers say Hu’s emphasis on intentionally cultivating culture reflects a broader shift in startup leadership, one that values employee experience alongside traditional performance metrics.
Looking Ahead: Culture and Growth
As Stan continues to grow and expand its footprint in the creator economy, Hu’s weekly lunch tradition remains a key talking point among entrepreneurs and HR leaders alike. Whether the model becomes influential beyond small teams remains to be seen, but for now, Hu stands by his belief that investing in people , and shared experiences, can drive measurable business outcomes.
